There must be a separation between time and dimension. The time, in reference to the human- or any invention that he makes- is still a receptical of the "total" observation that takes place. Let us say that human (biological) functions are inferior to invented functions. We still have to deal with the same sets of situations. There is no mystery- that is the mystery.

I agree; time is certainly independent of anything else and exactly as Newton defined it.

"Absolute, true, and mathematical time, from its own nature, passes equably without relation to anything external":
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/newton-stm/

Time passes for sure, but mortals can only judge it's passing from sensing the rearrangement of the universe.